Stan Wawrinka described Novak Djokovic as the “perfect tennis player” when asked about facing the ‘Big Three’ across his tennis career.
Former world No 3 Wawrinka was a frequent opponent for Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer across their careers, with a combined total of 75 meetings against the trio.
Wawrinka famously beat Nadal in the 2014 Australian Open final to win his first major title, before defeating Djokovic in the 2015 French Open and 2016 US Open finals.
Despite those significant wins over the Serbian, Wawrinka trailed 21-6 in their overall head-to-head.
However, speaking on the Nothing Major podcast, the Swiss revealed he was always “feeling happy” to play Djokovic – no matter how one-sided the scoreline could be.
He said: “It depends on how you’re going to take my answer because I think I lost more than 20 times to Novak, but he’s the one I was feeling happy to play.
“Even though I lost in the 2014 ATP London final [ATP Finals] 6-0, 6-3, I enjoyed playing against him.
“He hits the ball so cleanly. You feel like even if he destroys you, you are kind of happy because you played the perfect tennis player in front of you.”
Alongside trailing in his head-to-head against Djokovic, Wawrinka also trailed 3-19 against Nadal and 3-23 against Federer.
After beating Nadal in four sets to win his first Grand Slam title in Melbourne 11 years ago, the 39-year-old would again face the Spaniard in the final of the 2017 French Open.
That proved to be a more chastening experience for Wawrinka, who won just six games in a heavy 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 defeat to Nadal – who claimed the 10th of his 14 Roland Garros titles.
Though facing all three as “tough”, the Swiss revealed that his to Nadal in the French Open final was the trickiest experience of his career.
“Well, they’re all bit so tough,” Wawrinka added.
“We all have been there, but I think Rafa on clay at the French Open [was the toughest]. Especially high on the backhand, nonstop.
“You feel like he’s coming at you every single ball. You don’t see any option how to put any winner, how to put him out of the court.”